Digital camera having input devices and a display capable of displaying a plurality of set information items

ABSTRACT

An LCD ( 21 ) for displaying a plurality of set information items is provided for a digital camera ( 10 ). When a plurality of input keys disposed around the LCD ( 21 ) are depressed, set information which is displayed adjacent to the input key can be changed. A control portion of the digital camera ( 10 ) performs a variety of control operations of the digital camera ( 10 ) in accordance with set information. Therefore, the position of the input portion which is used when the setting of the digital camera ( 10 ) can easily be understood. Thus, the setting can be changed by performing only a simple operation.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/947,283 filed Sep. 23,2004, which is a continuation of application No. application Ser. No.09/549,167 filed Apr. 13, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,229. The entiredisclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital camera which converts lightfrom an object to be photographed, into digital data, and stores thedigital data.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application Nos.Hei. 11-105277, Hei. 11-105285, Hei. 11-105124, and 2000-90663, whichare incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is known a digital camera which converts light into an electricsignal by an optical sensor, such as a CCD or the like, and furtherconverts the electric signal into digital data so as to be stored in astorage medium, such as a flash memory or the like. The digital camerapermits saving of image data and a variety of processes to easily andpersonally be performed by using a personal computer or the like.Moreover, a photograph can be printed by outputting image data to aprinter without a necessity for performing development of a film. Sincethe print quality of the printer has been improved, a photograph havingexcellent quality which cannot substantially be distinguished from afilm photograph can be printed.

It is preferable that the digital camera has a multiplicity of functionsto permit a user to set a multiplicity of required items. To enable theuser to quickly change the setting, a multiplicity of input devices,such as buttons etc., must be provided. In the foregoing case,assignment of the functions to the buttons cannot easily be understoodby the user. Since the size of each button is undesirably reduced, therearises a problem in that the button cannot easily be depressed.

It might be feasible to employ a structure for reducing the number ofbuttons such that a menu screen is displayed on a display unit, such asa liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, to permit a process which must beexecuted to be selected in accordance with combination of the selectedbutton and a decision button. In the foregoing case, there arisesanother problem in that the required operation becomes too complicatedand an excessively long time is required.

When the menu screen is displayed on the display portion to select aprocess which must be executed in accordance with the combination of theselected button and the decision button, there is apprehension that thefinger of the user undesirably covers the display portion when thebutton is operated. Therefore, the operation for causing the finger toapproach the display portion and move away from the display must berepeated. Thus, there arises a problem in that the operabilitydeteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention isto provide a digital camera which is capable of changing a variety ofsettings by a simple operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital camerawith which the operability of input devices can be improved.

According to the first, tenth or seventeenth aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a digital camera which comprises aplurality of input devices respectively disposed adjacent to a pluralityof set information items displayed on a display portion. Therefore, theinput devices can be operated while the set information items displayedon the display portion are being observed. Accordingly, it follows thatthe location of the input portion which is used when the setting of thedigital camera is changed can easily be detected, and therefore, thesetting can be changed by performing a simple operation.

According to the second, eighth, or fifteenth aspect of the presentinvention, the input devices may include a plurality of first inputdevices disposed along a periphery of the display portion in a directionwhich is in parallel with an axial line of the shutter button, and aplurality of second input devices disposed in a direction perpendicularto the direction of the first input devices. The first input devices andthe second lo input devices are disposed perpendicular to each other.Accordingly, there is no apprehension that the fingers of the userintersect in the vicinity of the display portion when the digital camerais operated and that the operation of either finger obstructs theoperation of another finger. Hence, it follows that the operability ofthe input devices can be improved.

According to the third, ninth, or sixteenth aspect of the presentinvention, the first input devices may be disposed along a first sidesurface of the display portion adjacent to the shutter button, and thesecond input devices may be disposed along a second side surface of thedisplay portion opposite to a third side surface of the display portionadjacent to the shutter button, across the display portion. In general,a user operates the shutter button with the forefinger. Therefore, when,for example, the shutter button is operated with the right hand, anoperation is permitted such that the thumb of the right hand operatesthe first input devices and the thumb of the left hand operates thesecond input′ devices. That is, an operation of the input devices ispermitted such that the thumbs of the right and left hands are used tooperate the input devices in a state where the middle, third and littlefingers of the right and left hands are holding the digital lo camera.At this time, the thumbs of the right and left hands do not obstruct theupper surface of the display portion. Moreover, the thumbs do notintersect each other and obstruct the operation. Accordingly, the inputdevices can be operated while the display portion is being observed.Moreover, the operability of the input devices can be improved.

According to the fourth, eleventh, or eighteenth aspect of the presentinvention, the plurality of set information items may include at leastone kind of set information of shutter speed, aperture, white balance,and flash. Accordingly, the photographing conditions can quickly bechanged by performing a simple operation.

According to the fifth or twelfth aspect of the present invention, aplurality of contents of the set information items may be circularlychanged whenever input to the input devices is performed. Accordingly,one setting item can be changed without using a plurality of the inputdevices, and therefore, the operation can easily be performed.Incidentally, it is preferable that the number of the contents of setinformation which is circularly changed is four or less.

According to the sixth, thirteenth, or nineteenth aspect of the presentinvention, the display portion is capable of displaying an image io inaccordance with the image data. Therefore, the display can be used as afinder when the photograph operation is performed and the photographedimage. can be confirmed on the spot.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a digital camera which comprises an image pickup portion whichconverts light from an object to be photographed, into image data, adisplay portion capable of displaying at least one of setting screensincluding a plurality of set information items, a displaying devicewhich displays one type of a plurality of types of the setting screenson the display portion, a plurality of input devices, and a changingdevice which changes at least one of the set information items inaccordance with input to at least one of the input devices. Accordingly,when one set information is changed, simple input to one input device isrequired, and therefore, the operation can easily be performed. Sincethe role of the input devices is changed in accordance with the settingscreen of the plural types of setting screens, a multiplicity ofsettings can be changed in spite of a small number of input devices.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a digital camera in which a plurality of alternatives arecircularly displayed whenever input to the input devices is performedwhen the number of the alternatives of the set information items is notlarger than a predetermined number. Accordingly, use of a plurality ofthe input devices is not required when one setting is changed, and istherefore, the operation can easily be performed. It is preferable thatthe number of the alternatives which are circularly displayed is four orless. When the number of the alternatives of set information is largerthan a predetermined number, another selection screen is displayed onthe display portion. Therefore, increase in the number of inputoperations causing the operation to be made complicated can beprevented.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, theselection screen displayed owing to input to the input devices displaysall of the alternatives of the set information items. Therefore,permitted alternatives can easily be understood by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a digital camera 5 according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the digital camera according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the digital camera according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C) are diagrams showing input keys of the digital cameraaccording to the embodiment of the present invention and a screendisplayed on the LCD in a setup mode;

FIGS. 5(D) and 5(E) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digitalcamera according to the embodiment of the present invention and a screendisplayed on the LCD in the setup mode;

FIGS. 6(F) to 6(H) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digitalcamera according to the embodiment of the present invention and a screendisplayed on the LCD in a playback mode;

FIGS. 7(I) to 7(K) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digitalcamera according to the embodiment of the present invention and a screendisplayed on the LCD in a view finder mode;

FIGS. 8(L) and 8(M) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digitalcamera according to the embodiment of the present invention and a screendisplayed on the LCD in the view finder mode;

FIGS. 9(N) and 9(O) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digitalcamera according to the embodiment of the present invention and a screenIo displayed on the LCD in a LCD mode;

FIGS. 10(P) to 10(R) are diagrams showing the input keys of the digitalcamera according to the embodiment of the present invention and a screendisplayed on the LCD in the LCD mode; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a state where the digital cameraaccording to the embodiment of the present invention is operated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital camera 10according to the embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera10 includes a control portion 11, a converging lens 12, a CCD (ChargeCoupled Device) 13 serving as an image pickup portion, an A/D converter14, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15 in which image data is temporarilyrecorded, a memory card 16 in which compressed image data can berecorded, a card slot 20 into which the memory card 16 can be insertedand from which the same can be removed, a liquid crystal display unit(LCD) 21 for displaying an image, a VRAM 18 in which data for the imagewhich is displayed on the LCD 21 is stored and an interface 19 foroutputting data in the memory card 16 to an external unit.

The control portion 11 includes a CPU and a device forinputting/outputting data to execute a control program to perform avariety of control operations of the digital camera.

The converging lens 12 is provided with a diaphragm 121 for adjustingthe quantity of light which is input to the converging lens 12. When theCCD 13 is a CCD 13 having a structure that a plurality of image pickupdevices having complementary-color filters C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y(Yellow) and G (Green) are disposed in a matrix configuration, a colorimage can be photographed. The complementary-color filters may be C, Mand Y filters. A CCD including primary color filters in R (Red), G(Green) and B (Blue) is sometimes employed. The RAM 15 is an SDRAM(Synchronous Dynamic RAM) having a self refreshing function.

The memory card 16 includes a flash memory or the like which is areloadable storage medium capable of storing the recorded contentswithout a ′ necessity of power supply and on which image data isrecorded. The memory card 16 is removably inserted into the card slot 20of the digital camera 10. When the memory card 16 is a memory card whichis in conformity with PCMCIA standard or a memory card which can beadapted to a PCMCIA card adapter is employed, the contents of the memorycard 16 can directly be read/written by a personal computer having aPCMCIA card slot.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a rear view and a plan view showing the digital camera10 according to this embodiment. The digital camera 10 is operated suchthat a user uses the LCD 21 or an optical finder 110 serving as a viewfinder to determine a range which must be photographed. When the userhas depressed a shutter button 101, a photographing operation isstarted. The control portion 11 is able to distinguish and recognize astate of “half depression” in which the shutter button 101 has beendepressed half and a state of “full depression” in which the shutterbutton 101 has been depressed to the limit of movement or adjacent tothe limit. The user operates a mode-switching dial 102 for switching theoperation mode of the digital camera to select a mode from six modeswhich include a “view finder mode” which is a first photographing mode,an “LCD mode” which is a second photographing mode, “Off”, a “playbackmode”, a “direct print mode” and a “setup mode”.

The “view finder mode” is a mode in which a photographing operation isperformed by mainly using the optical finder 110 to save .powerconsumption of the digital camera 10. The “LCD mode” is a mode in whicha photographing operation is performed by mainly using the LCD 21 as thefinder. The “playback mode” is a mode in which an image in accordancewith image data recorded on the memory card 16 is displayed. The “directprint mode” is a mode in which the digital camera 10 is connected to anexternal printer through the interface 19 to print the image. The “setupmode” is a mode in which a variety of settings of the digital camera 10including the photographing condition are set. When the mode-switchingdial 102 has been set to the position of “Off”, the power source of thedigital camera 10 is turned off.

Input keys 103 to 109 serving as input devices are disposed around theLCD 21. The digital camera 10 executes a control program correspondingto the selected mode. Then, the digital camera 10 detects input of theshutter button 101 and the input keys 103 to 109 performed by the userto perform corresponding control. An image-quality selection button 111,a flash selection button 112 and a mode selection button 113 aredisposed in the upper ′ portion of the digital camera 10. When theimagequality selection button 111 has been depressed, the compressionratio and the number of pixels of image data are changed. Thus, theimage quality of the recorded image is changed. When the flash selectionbutton 112 is depressed, the light emission mode of the flash can beselected from “automatic light emission control”, “always lightemission” and “always inhibition of light emission”. When the modeselection button 113 has been depressed, switching is permitted among a“usual photographing mode”, a “proximate photographing mode”, an“enlargement photographing mode” and a “panorama photographing mode”.The contents set by each of the selection buttons 111, 112 and 113 aredisplayed on the segment-type LCD 114.

The input devices include first input devices having input keys 103,104, 105 and 106 disposed in parallel with the axial line of the shutterbutton 101; and input keys 107, 108 and 109 disposed in a directionperpendicular to the direction in which the first input devices aredisposed.

The first input devices are disposed in the side portion along the LCD21 adjacent to the modeswitching dial 102. The input keys 103, 104, 105and 106 serving as the first input devices are disposed below themode-switching dial 102 shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the secondinput devices are disposed along the LCD 21 at an end opposite to theshutter button across the LCD 21. The input keys 107, 108 and 109serving as the second input devices are disposed along the lower end ofthe LCD 21 shown in FIG. 1.

The first input devices are disposed along the short side of therectangular LCD 21, while the second input devices are disposed alongthe longer side of the LCD 21. The first input devices are operated bythe hand with which the mode-switching dial 102 is depressed, while thesecond input devices are operated by the other hand. Therefore, thehands for operating the first and second input devices do not intersectat a position above the LCD 21. Moreover, one of the hands does notobstruct the movement of the other hand.

The operation of the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment willnow be described. When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to theposition of “Setup”, the digital camera 10 is put into the setup mode.Thus, a plurality of set information items concerning the digital camera10 as shown in FIG. 4(A) are displayed on the LCD 21.

When the input key 103 disposed adjacent to a position on the LCD 21 atwhich the time and date are displayed has been depressed, the display onthe LCD 21 is changed to that as shown in FIG. 4(B). Thus, the time anddate can be adjusted. The input keys 108 and 109 are used to select theitems which must be modified and the input keys 104 and 105 are used tochange the numerical values. When the input key 103 or the input key 107is depressed, the display is returned to the screen shown in FIG. 4(A).

When the input key 104 provided for a position adjacent to the positionat which setting about the view finder mode is displayed has beendepressed in a state in which the screen shown in FIG. 4(A) isdisplayed, a screen shown in FIG. 4(C) is realized. Thus, the setting ofthe view finder mode is changed from “custom” to “automatic”. When theinput key 104 has been again depressed, the screen shown in FIG. 4(A) isrealized. Thus, the setting of the view finder mode is changed from the“automatic” to the “custom”. That is, whenever the input key 104 isdepressed, the setting of the view finder mode is alternately changedbetween the “custom” and the “automatic”.

Also in a case where the input key 105 disposed adjacent to a positionat which the setting about the LCD mode is displayed has been depressedin a state where the screen shown in FIG. 4(A) is displayed, the settingof the LCD mode is alternately changed between “ME/MF” shown in FIG.4(A) and “AE/AF” shown in FIG. 5(D) whenever the input key 105 isdepressed. The “ME/MF” mode is a mode in which the user manually setsthe exposure and/or the focal point, while the “AE/AF” mode is a mode inwhich the control portion 11 automatically sets the exposure and/orthe′-focal point.

When the input key 107 disposed adjacent to a position at whichcharacters “another setting” is depressed in a state where the screenshown in FIG. 4(A) is displayed, a screen shown in FIG. 5(E) isdisplayed. Thus, another setting information item is displayed. With theforegoing screen, the input key 103 is depressed to select setting, ofenergy saving or no setting of the same. The input keys 104 and 105 aredepressed to correct the exposure. When the input key 106 has beendepressed, the language of the characters which are displayed on the LCDis selected. When the input key 108 has been depressed, whether or notsound recording is performed is selected. When the input key 109 hasbeen depressed, whether or not shutter sound created by electronicsynthesis is generated is selected when the shutter button 101 isdepressed. When the input key 107 has been depressed, the setting screenshown in FIG. 4(A) is restored.

When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the positioncorresponding to “Play”, the playback mode is started. Thus, aphotographed image in accordance with image data stored in the memorycard 16 is displayed on the LCD 21. Moreover, a menu screen as shown inFIG. 6(F) is displayed to overlap the photographed image.Display/non-display of the menu screen can be changed by depressing theinput key 107.

When the input key 103 has been depressed in a state where the screenshown in FIG. 6(F) is displayed, the “manual playback mode” is changedto a “slide playback mode” shown in FIG. 6(G). When the input key 103has been depressed in a state where the screen shown in FIG. 6(G) isdisplayed, the “slide playback mode” is changed to an“enlargement/scroll playback mode”. When the input key 103 has beendepressed in a state where a screen shown in FIG. 6(H) is displayed, the“enlargement/scroll playback mode” is changed to the “manual playbackmode”.

In the “manual playback mode” shown in FIG. 6(F), the number of imagesrecorded in the memory card 16 and the order of the image among therecorded images are displayed on the LCD 21 in the form of, for example,“ 12/32”. When the input key 104 has been depressed, an immediatelyforward image in the memory card 16 is displayed. When the input key 105has been depressed, a next image is displayed. When the input key 106has been depressed, image data can be locked to prevent unintentionaldeletion of image data. When the input key 106 has again been depressed,locking is suspended. When the input key 108 has been depressed, thenumber of images which are displayed on one screen of the LCD 21 can beselected. Whenever the input key 108 is depressed, circulation ofdisplay is performed such that, for example, one image, 2×2=4 images and3×3=9 images are circularly changed. When the input key 109 has beendepressed, image data can be eliminated. When data elimination isperformed, a confirmation screen is displayed so that whether or notimage data is eliminated is confirmed.

In the “slide playback mode” shown in FIG. 6(G), slide playback isstarted when the input key 106 has been depressed. Thus, a plurality ofimages can successively be displayed. When the digital camera 10 isconnected to a TV set or the like, a presentation can satisfactorily beperformed. When the input key 104 has been depressed, time for which oneimage is displayed can be set. When the input key 105 has beendepressed, images which are played back in the slide manner can beselected. When the input key 108 has been depressed, the playback ordercan be changed between a forward direction and the reverse direction.When the input key 109 has been depressed, display/non-display ofphotographing information, such as date and time can be changed.

In the “enlargement/scroll mode” shown in FIG. 6(H), lines forsectioning the image displayed on the LCD 21 into 4×4 regions aredisplayed. Moreover, a selective frame enclosing the 2×2 region isdisplayed. When the input keys 104, 105, 108 and 109 are depressed, theregion enclosed by the selective frame is shifted. When the input key106 has been depressed, the selected region is enlarged and displayedfully in the screen of the LCD 21.

When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the position of“SH1”, the view finder mode which is the first photographing mode isstarted.

When the setting of the view finder mode is the “automatic” in the setupmode, supply of electric power to the LCD 21 is inhibited. Therefore,the display of the LCD 21 is inhibited. Usually, no electric power-issupplied to the CCD 13. When the user has depressed the shutter button101 half, the operation of the CCD 13 is started. Thus, the controlportion 11 automatically sets the exposure, focal point and the whitebalance. The exposure is determined according to the shutter speed andthe aperture. The user uses the optical finder 110 to determine therange which must be photographed. When the mode selection button 113 hasbeen depressed to select any one of the proximate photographing modes,the enlargement photographing mode or the panorama photographing mode,it is preferable that the range which-must be photographed canaccurately be confirmed. Therefore, light converged onto the CCD 13 bythe converging lens 12 is conveyed into an electric signal at intervalsof a fraction of one second to shorter intervals. Thus, electric signalis converted into image data so as to be transferred to the VRAM 18.Thus, an object to be photographed is displayed on the LCD 21 as akinetic image.

When the setting of the view finder mode is the “custom” in the setupmode, a screen shown in FIG. 7(I) is displayed on the LCD 21. In aninitial state, the white balance is automatically set. When the inputkey 104 adjacent to a position at which the setting about the whitebalance is displayed has been depressed, the screen is changed to ascreen shown in FIG. 7(J). The setting of the white balance which hasbeen set by a custom manner is used. When the input key 104 has beendepressed in a state where the foregoing screen is displayed, the screenis changed to a screen shown in FIG. 7(K). When the input key 105adjacent to the position at which “NO” has been displayed has beendepressed, the screen is returned to the screen shown in FIG. 7(J). Whenthe input key 104 has again been depressed, the screen is changed to thescreen shown in FIG. 7(I). Thus, the white balance is made to beautomatic setting. When the input key 106 adjacent to a position at“YES” has been displayed is depressed in a state where the screen shownin FIG. 7(K) is displayed, a screen is realized with which the user isable to custom-set the white balance.

In the state where the screen show in FIG. 7(I) is displayed, the lightemission mode of the flash is fixed to the automatic setting. Therefore,when the flash selection button 112 has been depressed, the setting isnot changed. When the input key 105 adjacent to the position at whichthe setting about the flash has been displayed is depressed, the screenis changed to a screen shown in FIG. 8(L). Thus, the light emission modeof the flash can be changed.

In a portion adjacent to the input key 106, setting about the exposurecorrection is displayed. When the input key 106 has been depressed, thescreen is changed to a screen shown in FIG. 8(M). When the input keys104 and 105 have been depressed, the degree of change of the exposurefrom the degree automatically set by the control portion 11 can bedetermined. When the input key ′ 107 has been depressed, the originalscreen is restored.

When the input key 108 has been depressed, whether or not the image isrecorded in color or in white and black can be selected. When the inputkey 109 has been depressed, whether or not the photographing operationis performed with standard sensitivity or high sensitivity can beselected.

When the user has depressed the shutter button 101 of the digital camera10 half, adequate exposure and focus for the image which is recognizedby the CCD 13 are set. Therefore, the exposure and the focus are fixedin a period of time in which the shutter button 101 is depressed half.

When any one of the proximate photographing mode, the enlargementphotographing mode and the panorama photographing mode has beenselected, light converged onto the CCD 13 by the converging lens 12 isconveyed into an electric signal at intervals of a fraction of onesecond or shorter intervals. The electric signal is converted intodigital image data so as to be transferred to the VRAM 18. Thus, theobject to be photographed is displayed on the LCD 21 as a kinetic image.The menu screen shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are displayed to overlap thekinetic image.

When the user has depressed the shutter button 101 fully, thephotographing operation is started so that image data is produced.

Initially, electric charges accumulated in the CCD 13 are completelydischarged. Then, light converged by the converging lens 12 is input tothe CCD 13. The CCD 13 converts light into an electric chargecorresponding to the quantity of light. The electric signal output fromthe CCD 13 is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 14.The digital data output from the A/D converter 14 is directlytransferred to the RAM 15 by a DMA (Direct Memory Access) such that thecontrol portion 11 is bypassed to perform a quick operation and theaddress in the RAM 15 is instructed.

Data transferred from the CCD 13 has information about only one color ofone pixel corresponding to the color of the filter. Therefore, colorinterpolation of data recorded in the RAM 15 is performed in accordancewith color information about the surrounding pixels. For example, imagedata of 1280×960 pixels having color information in C, M, Y and G isproduced.

To enlarge the number of images which can be recorded in the memory card16, compression is performed by the non-reciprocal compression methodconforming to JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). Thus, compresseddata having a small volume is produced. The JPEG is a usual method ofcompressing a color image. When the compression ratio is changed, theimage quality of the preserved image can be adjusted. The JPEGcompression operation can be performed by a software manner by thecontrol portion 11 or a special circuit capable of raising the operationspeed. Data compressed by the JPEG method is recorded on the memory card16.

When the mode switch dial 102 has been set to “SH2”, the LCD mode whichis the second photographing mode is started. Thus, the object to bephotographed is displayed on the LCD 21 as a kinetic image.

When “AE/AF” has been selected in the setup mode, a screen shown in FIG.9(N) is displayed to overlap the kinetic image which is being displayedon the LCD 21.

On the screen shown in FIG. 9(N), the enlargement photographing mode hasbeen set. Whenever the input key 103 adjacent to the position at whichthe magnification is displayed is depressed, the display of themagnification is circularly changed among, for example, “×1.25”, “×2s1.6” and “×2.0”. Thus, the magnification can be set. The LCD 21 displaysa kinetic image in a printed range corresponding to the magnification.

When the input key 105 has been depressed in a state where the screenshown in FIG. 9(N) is displayed, a screen shown in FIG. 9(O) isdisplayed. The metering mode of AE/AF is changed from a spot meteringmode to a center-weighted metering mode. When the input key 105 has beendepressed in a state where the screen shown in FIG. 9(O) is displayed,the center-weighted metering mode is changed to the spot metering mode.

The operation which is performed when any one of the input keys 104,106, 108 and 109 has been depressed is similar to the operation which isperformed when the “custom” has been selected in the view finder mode.

When “ME/MF” has been selected in the setup mode, a screen as shown inFIG. 10(P) is displayed on the kinetic image which is being displayed onthe LCD 21. When the input keys 104 and 105 adjacent to the position atwhich the focal distance of the digital camera 10 is displayed have beendepressed, the focal distance can manually be changed by the user.Therefore, photographing in a front or rear focus state is permitted.

When the input key 108 provided for a position adjacent to a position atwhich the shutter speed is displayed has been depressed, the shutterspeed can be selected from, for example, ½, 1/30, 1/125 and 1/750.Moreover, shutter speed can be selected with which the aperture is givenpriority and which is determined by the control portion 11 such thatadequate shutter speed is realized when the set aperture has been fixedas shown in FIG. 10(Q).

When the input key 106 provided for a position adjacent to a position atwhich the aperture is displayed has been depressed, the aperture can beselected from, for example, F2.4, F8 and F16. Moreover, the aperture canbe selected with which the shutter speed is given priority and which isdetermined by the control portion 11 such that an adequate aperture isrealized when the set shutter speed has been fixed as shown in FIG.10(R).

When the user has completely depressed the shutter button 101, thephotographing operation is started. Thus, image data is produced by aprocedure similar to that in the view finder mode. Data compressed bythe JPEG method is recorded on the memory card 16. A long time issometimes taken from start of recording of image data in the memory card16 to completion of recording. During this, an image in accordance withthe image data is continuously displayed on the LCD 21.

When the mode-switching dial 102 has been moved to the position of “DP”,the direct print mode is started. When the digital camera 10 has beenconnected to an external printer and the user has depressed the inputkeys 103 to 109, a photographed image can be selected and printed.

When the digital camera 10 according to the present invention is used,the following operation is permitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the right hand 2 of the user holds either sideportion of the digital camera 10. Moreover, the forefinger 2 b is ableto depress the shutter button. Thus, the thumb is able to operate theinput keys 103, 104, 105 and 106. The residual fingers, the middlefinger, the third finger and the little finger (not shown) hold thedigital camera 10.

On the other hand, the left hand of the user holds the other end of thedigital camera 10. The thumb 3 a is able to operate the input keys 107,108 and 109.

The input keys 103 to 109 of the digital camera 10 are distinguishedinto the set of the input keys 103, 104, 105 and 106 which are operatedby the right hand 2 of the user and the set of the input keys 107, 108and 109 which are operated by the left hand. Thus, intersection of theright hand 2 and the left hand 3 at a position above the LCD 21 andobstruction of movement of either hand by the other hand can beprevented. Therefore, when the operation of the digital camera 10according to this embodiment is performed while the LCD 21 is beingobserved, obstruction of the display of the LCD 21 by the hand whichoperates the input key does not occur. Thus, the operability of thedigital camera 10 can be improved.

That is, the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment requires auser to operate the input keys 103 to 109 while viewing the LCD 21.Therefore, the input keys 103 to 109 must be disposed at positions atwhich the input keys 103 to 109 can easily be recognized. In general, auser uses the forefinger 2 b of the right hand 2 to depress the shutterbutton 101. Therefore, the thumb 2 a is placed on the rear surface ofthe digital camera 10, that is, on the surface of the LCD 21. Therefore,the input keys 103, 104, 105 and 106 of the first input devices aredisposed on the side portion of the LCD 21 adjacent to the shutterbutton 101. Thus, the operation of the foregoing input keys 103, 104,105 and 106 can easily and smoothly be performed with the thumb 2 a ofthe right hand 2. Moreover, the input keys 107, 108 and 109 serving asthe second input devices which are operated by the left hand 3 aredisposed apart from one another. Thus, if the number of the input keysis enlarged, the input keys can easily and smoothly be performed.

The input keys 103 to 109 are separated into ′ the set of the input keys103, 104, 105 and 106 and arranged to be operated by the right hand andthe set of the input keys 107, 108 and 109 and arranged to be operatedby the left hand. Thus, interference between the right hand 2 and theleft hand 3 occurring when the input key is operated can be prevented.Therefore, even if a small size LCD 21 is employed, the display on theLCD 21 can easily be recognized.

The digital camera according to this embodiment enables the contents ofset information displayed on the display portion to directly be changedowing to input to the input devices. Therefore, the set informationitems can quickly be changed. When one input key has a plurality offunctions corresponding to the modes, the contents of the process whichis executed can easily be recognized.

The digital camera according to this embodiment is able to changesetting by depressing only one input key when setting having a smallnumber of alternatives is changed, for example, selection of white andblack photographing or color photographing is performed. Therefore, theoperation can easily be performed. Moreover, each input key is disposedadjacent to each of contents of the settings displayed on the LCD. Henceit follows that the correspondence between the depressed key and causedchange in the setting can easily be understood. When a large number ofalternatives is large, for example, when the date and time are set,another screen is displayed to perform the setting. When the exposure isset, all of the alternatives are displayed to perform selection amongthe displayed alternatives. Thus, selection can easily be performed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical finder isemployed as the view finder. A view finder including a small-size LCDmay be employed.

1. A digital camera comprising: an image pickup element which convertslight from an object to be photographed into image data; a displaycapable of displaying an image based on the image data; a view finderfor confirming the object; a setting selector which selects one ofsettings including a first setting, a second setting and a thirdsetting, wherein in a case that the first setting is selected,photographing operation is performed with the view finder withoutactivating the display, and when a photographing region cannot beaccurately confirmed with the view finder, the display is activated, ina case that the second setting is selected, a menu for setting thedigital camera is displayed on the display without displaying the image,and when a photographing region cannot be accurately confirmed with theview finder, the menu and the image are concurrently displayed on thedisplay, and in a case that the third setting is selected, the displayis activated and the image is displayed on the display.
 2. The digitalimage according to claim 1, wherein when a first switch is operated, oneof a setting for using the view finder and the third setting isselected, when a second switch is operated, one of the first setting andthe second setting is selected, and when the setting for using the viewfinder is selected by the first switch and the first setting is selectedby the second switch, the photographing operation is performed in thefirst setting.
 3. The digital image according to claim 1, wherein thesettings include a fourth setting, when a first switch is operated, oneof a setting for using the view finder, the third setting and the fourthsetting are selected, and in the fourth setting, by operating a secondswitch, one of the first setting and the second setting is selected. 4.The digital image according to claim 1, wherein the settings includes afourth setting in which the photographing operation is not performed anda setting menu is displayed on the display, and when the fourth settingis selected, one of the first setting and the second setting is selectedwith the setting menu on the display.
 5. The digital image according toclaim 1, wherein in the case that the second setting is selected, whenthe photographing region cannot be accurately confirmed with the viewfinder, the menu and the image are overlapped with each other on thedisplay.